inquired.
"Tell him," said Goldenlocks kindly, "I believe that no King who was not worthy and charming himself could have an ambassador like you."
"But," she added after a pause, "tell him also that Goldenlocks may not marry. I have taken a solemn vow that I will not marry until a ring which I lost in the brook a month ago is found. I valued that ring more than my whole kingdom, but it cannot be found."
Charming went away disheartened, because he did not have the slightest idea how to go about finding the Princess's ring. Luckily for him, he had brought with him a cunning little dog named Frisk. Frisk was a light-hearted creature. He always was hopeful. So he said to Charming:
"Why, master, let us not give up hope without even trying. Let's go down to the brook tomorrow morning and see if we can't find the Princess's bothersome ring."
So, bright and early the next day, Charming and Frisk walked slowly along the edge of the brook which flowed near the palace, hunting for the ring. They walked for about half an hour, when a voice spoke to them out of nowhere:
"Well, Charming, I have kept my promise. You once saved my life, you know. Now I have brought you the Princess Goldenlocks' ring."
Charming looked up and down and all around in great amazement. Then, at his very feet, he saw the golden carp which he had rescued a few days before; and, best of all, in the carp's mouth was the Princess's gold ring.
With joy in his heart Charming rushed to the palace, with Frisk dancing along at his heels. Goldenlocks was disappointed to hear that he had come back so soon. "He must have given up already," she told her handmaids, as she made ready to receive Charming.
When Charming entered the Princess's throne room he did not say a word; he simply handed her the ring.
"My ring!" the Princess called out in amazement. "You have found it!" And she seemed delighted that Charming had succeeded.
"Now," said Charming, with something of assurance, "you will make ready to return to my King with me, will you not?"
"Oh, no!" the Princess cried, as if she had never thought of such a thing. "I can never marry until an awful enemy of mine is killed. There is a fierce giant who lives near here. He once asked me to marry him, and I, of course, refused. It made him very angry. He swore vengeance upon me, and I am afraid to leave my kingdom while he is alive. I think the creature--his name is Galifron--can really have no human heart at all, for he can kill two or three or four persons a day without feeling anything but joy in his crimes."
Charming shuddered at this appalling picture of his enemy-to-be.
"If it be in my power so to do, Princess Goldenlocks, I will slay your enemy." With these words Charming turned on his heels and left the palace.
Frisk realized that Charming was worried 

 Prev. P 13/587 next